Chapter Five: Forging the Spearhead Summary and Analysis

The flag raisers were all now at Camp Pendleton near Los Angeles. The new Fifth Marine Division was scheduled to be activated on November 11, 1943, Armistice Day. All six boys were assigned to Company E, ironically named "Easy." The new force was called Spearhead and was given a special insignia. Through the spring and summer months, the boys went through intensive training including a phase covering amphibious operations. The boys spotted a special visitor. It was FDR who came by to confer with the generals on several occasions.

Jack, nicknamed "Doc," supervised other corpsmen in the company and had contact with all the other boys who came to see him as an important part of their lives. He went out of his way to help anyone who needed a favor. Doc was remembered for...